Q7: managing toilet needs

What this question means

This question is about how your condition makes it difficult for you to:

get on and off an unadapted toilet seat

clean yourself afterwards

if applicable, manage your incontinence

The DWP is not interested in the difficulties you have getting to the bathroom or managing your clothes - for example, unzipping your trousers or undoing a belt. If you have difficulties with these, you can explain them in question 8.

Try not to feel embarrassed, miss out information or put on a brave face. If you do, the DWP won’t get a true picture of how your condition affects you and this can make it harder to get PIP.

Question 7a

Do you use an aid or appliance to go to the toilet or manage incontinence?

Yes

No

Sometimes

You should probably tick “yes” if:

you're incontinent and have to use aids such as incontinence pads or grab rails

you use an adapted toilet seat or toilet - for example, it has handrails

you don't use a toilet - for example, you use a commode or catheter instead

you use an aid either all the time or sometimes

Question 7b

Do you need help from another person to go to the toilet or manage incontinence?

Yes

No

Sometimes

You should probably tick "yes" if:

someone helps you (even if it's just with your aid - for example, dealing with a used portable bidet)

someone is around in case you need help

someone reminds you to go to the toilet

someone explains how to clean yourself properly

you need help but don't get it

Extra information: what to write

It’s important you tell the DWP more by explaining your situation in the box.

It's your chance to give the DWP a true picture of the difficulties you face because of your condition. They'll use this to decide if you get PIP.

You can also use this space to explain what help you need but don't get.

Aids you use

List all the aids you use:

to help you get on and off a toilet seat

to clean yourself

to manage any incontinence - clearly state if this includes incontinence pads, a temporary or permanent catheter, a colostomy bag, or similar

Never miss any aids off your list because you think it's obvious and always:

explain how they help you

explain if you have to use them because you can't use a toilet

make it clear if a health professional advised you to use them

include any that would help you if you had them

Someone helps, assists or reminds you

Make it clear if you need help but don’t get it.

if you do get help, give the relationship of the person to you (for example, carer or friend) and explain:

why they help

how they help

how often they help

Make it clear if you need them to:

always help you on and off a toilet seat

always help you clean yourself

help with just some of your toilet needs

be on hand - for example, to help only if needed or to make sure you're safe

remind you to go to the toilet, empty your colostomy bag or wash your hands

explain how to use the toilet or clean yourself

Always explain what happens (or would happen) if you don't get help. For example:

you're more likely to soil yourself

you're more likely to have an accident - for example, you're epileptic and at risk of a seizure while on the toilet

you're less likely to go out because you might need to go to the toilet

It's ok to estimate how often you need help but say if you are. If it's too difficult to estimate - explain why. For example, because your condition fluctuates.

Safety: accidents and risk of injury or infection

Tell the DWP if you have or are likely to:

slip or fall when getting on or off the toilet

fall sick or get an infection because you find it hard to clean yourself

Make it clear:

why it can happen

how often it can happen

how you try to prevent it - for example, you rely on a handrail or someone to help you

if it's because someone didn't help you

if it's because you get confused or have trouble remembering

Time it takes

Tell the DWP if it takes you twice as long as someone without your condition to do any of the following:

get on and off an unadapted toilet seat

clean yourself

wash your hands afterwards

Try to explain how long it takes. It's ok to estimate but say if you are. If it's too hard to estimate explain why.

Remember to:

include time for breaks if you need them

explain if it takes you even longer on a bad day

Good days and bad days

Explain how you cope managing your toilet needs on both good days and bad and how you manage over a longer period of time (like a week). This gives the DWP a better picture of how you cope most of the time.

Make it clear:

if you have good days and bad days

how often you have bad days

if you have bad days more often than not

how your difficulties and any symptoms differ between goods days and bad

It's ok to estimate your bad days but say if you are. If it's too difficult to estimate - explain why. For example, because your condition fluctuates.

Symptoms like pain or frustration

Explain if the difficulties you have getting on or off the toilet, cleaning yourself or managing your incontinence cause you any physical or mental symptons. For example, pain, tiredness or stress.

It's helpful to explain the symptoms and give an example, including:

how often you have them

how long they last

if they're likely to increase the risk of an accident or you soiling yourself

if they affect your ability to carry out any of the other activities on your PIP claim form - for example, you're so anxious about managing your incontinence that it prevents you from going out

Example

Sarah finds it difficult to manage her toilet needs so she doesn't eat or drink properly or go out with her friends as much as she used to because she's anxious about having to go to the toilet.